12180-12184

PUBLIC CONTRACT CODE
SECTION 12180-12184




12180.  The Legislature hereby finds and declares that it is the
policy of the state to encourage the use of marketable end products
which are produced as a result of superior waste management by
counties, cities, and local agencies.
   The Legislature further finds and declares that it is in the
public interest to provide special consideration for the state
purchase of co-compost and compost products because these products
substantially reduce the need for solid waste disposal facilities,
such as landfills, and will assist the state in providing new
alternatives for the alarming decrease in available solid waste
disposal facilities, such as landfills.



12183.  (a) All state departments and agencies, including, but not
limited to, the Department of Transportation, the Department of Water
Resources, the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, and the
Department of Parks and Recreation, shall give purchase preference to
compost and cocompost products when they can be substituted for, and
cost no more than, the cost of regular fertilizer or soil amendment
products, or both, if the cocompost products meet all applicable
state standards and regulations, as determined by appropriate
testing. The product preference shall include, but not be limited to,
the construction of noise attenuation barriers and safety walls,
highway planting projects, and recultivation and erosion control
programs.



12184.  It is the intent of the Legislature, in enacting this
article, that the revenues derived from the state purchase of
co-compost products will be used by counties, cities, and local
agencies to offset the costs of construction, operation, and
maintenance of co-compost waste disposal facilities.